MEXICO — Three men and two women charged with dealing heroin were being held at the Oxford County Jail on Monday on bail ranging from $500 cash to $75,000 cash.

The five were arrested Friday in a Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigation into heroin trafficking.

MDEA agents searched homes at 105, 107 and 109 Chase Ave. in Mexico after a two-month investigation of a large-scale crack cocaine and heroin trafficking ring in the area, according to a statement from Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.

He said Bricknell “J” Dorelas, 34, of Mexico, Joseph “Rasta” Kabamba, 20, of Portland, Bilal ”B” Mohammed, 24, of Portland, Chelsie Belskis, 30, of Mexico, and Nicole Belskis, 32, of Mexico were charged with unlawful trafficking in heroin and conspiracy to commit unlawful trafficking in heroin. Nicole Belskis was charged also with violation of conditions of release.

The suspects were taken to the Oxford County Jail and made initial appearances at 11th District Court in Paris on Monday.

Judge Rick Lawrence set Nicole Belskis’ bail at $10,000 cash.

Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor initially asked for $15,000 cash bail, citing Belskis’ extensive criminal history and multiple cases pending in court.

“I expect we’ll be filing multiple motions to terminate bail on some of those cases,” O’Connor said.

Attorney Leonard Sharon, who was representing Belskis for the afternoon, said she had expressed interest in being released to a rehabilitation facility.

Lawrence replied that once Nicole Belskis’ court-appointed attorney becomes familiar with the details of her case, he can seek to readjust Belskis’ bail conditions.

Chelsie Belskis’ bail was set at $500 cash, or $2,500 with a pretrial service contract.

O’Connor had originally asked Lawrence for $5,000 cash bail, pointing out that when she was arrested, $3,600 in cash was found at the residence, along with drugs and digital drug scales.

“(Chelsie) admitted to police that she was a drug addict and had sold heroin and cocaine base, with a dozen or so customers.” O’Connor said. “Due to the fact that she’s unemployed, it’s a safe conclusion that a large amount of that cash is drug proceeds.”

Kabamba’s bail was set at $75,000 cash. Lawrence said he set Kabamba’s bail that high because he is not a Maine resident and he has pending charges in Massachusetts related to violent crimes.

Mohammed’s bail was set at $50,000 cash, or $5,000 with a pretrial service contract. He would be required to live with a friend in Cape Elizabeth upon release.

Dolares’ bail was set at $50,000 cash, or $2,500 with a pretrial service contract.

Investigators said Dorelas, Kabamba and Mohammed would use local heroin users’ homes and have the users sell heroin and cocaine base for them in exchange for free drugs.

The three men usually would hide in back rooms of the residences during the drug transactions, according to McCausland. Chelsie and Nicole Belskis are accused of selling heroin and cocaine provided by the three men.

Agents seized about 7 grams, 70 dosage units, of suspected heroin and $8,000 in suspected drug proceeds as well as other evidence of drug-trafficking, McCausland said.

Assisting with the operation were officers from Mexico and Rumford police departments and Maine State Police. The U.S. Border Patrol supplied K-9 assistance and identified Dorelas, Kabamba and Mohammed who had no identification and are originally from other countries, according to McCausland.

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